It has been announced that Canadians aged 55 to 64 can now apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). This means that a large cohort has now become eligible for the plan. But what do the statistics say about the oral health of this age group? Now, with newly released data, we can see where the different strengths and weaknesses lie for the oral health of this age group.
In a landmark moment, Canadians aged 55 to 64 can now apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), with Prime Minister Mark Carney confirming this [1].
This marks a large cohort of people that can receive dental care under the federal plan. It also demonstrates the recently elected federal government’s commitment towards oral healthcare in Canada.
With the CDCP continuing its expansion, and with the most recent federal election behind us, now is a good chance to take a look at the current state of dental health in Canada for this age group.
Using data provided by Statistics Canada, there are a series of statistics available that show where the strengths and weaknesses lie in Canada’s oral healthcare system for those aged 50-64 [1].
A lack of dental coverage
The need for further dental assistance for this age group is demonstrated by the lack of dental coverage.
For example, statistics show that almost 66% of Canadians have either private or public dental insurance, though 27.8% of those aged 50 to 64 do not have any coverage at all [1].
This is concerning and suggests that many people in this age group do not receive adequate dental care, or no dental care at all. Therefore, some people have not had a dental appointment for several years.
Pain and avoiding food
Another concerning statistic revolves around issues with eating and pain. Due to oral health problems, some people resort to avoiding certain foods. Others experience persistent pain.
The statistics show that 20.2% of the 50 to 64 age group avoid eating certain foods due to mouth problems [1]. This marks an increase compared to the national average of 15.6%.
Women are likelier than men to have this problem, with 22.3% of women reporting avoiding food, compared to 18% of men [1].
In terms of pain, unfortunately some people live with persistent oral pain. This disproportionately affects the 50-64 age group, with 25.2% of this group experiencing this, which is higher than the 21.6% national average [1].
Having no teeth
A significant oral health problem is edentulism – also known as not having any natural teeth. This is normally due to extensive tooth decay, advanced gum disease, or trauma.
Unsurprisingly, the highest rate of edentulism is among those aged 65 and older, with 13.8% of people in this group afflicted [1].
However, 2.3% of those aged 50 to 64 also have no natural teeth remaining [1]. Therefore, it still affects this age group.
Fortunately, options are available, including dentures and implants. While these are reactive measures, they can still be a strong solution.
Signs of improvement
But despite the negatives, there are some positives too. This involves high rates of flossing, brushing, and visiting a dentist among this group.
The statistics show that approximately 30% of Canadians floss five or more times per week. However, in the 50-64 age group, this is 38.3%, with women (43.1%) particularly performing well [1].
Moreover, almost 74% of people in the 50-64 age group reported brushing at least twice daily. Again, this is higher than the national average of 70% [1].
Perhaps the most positive statistic is that an impressive 76.7% of Canadians aged 50-64 visit a dental professional at least once per year [1]. This is an improvement on the national average.
Finally, only 0.4% of those aged 50-64 have never visited a dental professional, which is below the national average [1]. This is positive to see, as seeing a dentist regularly is crucial!
Provincial differences
The data also provides some interesting insights into how the various provinces rank. Unsurprisingly, provinces that have high density levels tend to perform well – with there typically being strong supply in such areas [1].
However, in provinces with more rural areas, such as Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan, the statistics are typically less positive [1].
This is unsurprising though, given the well-established oral health disparity that exists between urban and rural areas in Canada [2].
Summary
So while there is room for improvement in the 55-64 age bracket, hopefully the CDCP will help to alleviate some of the concerns.
With this age bracket now receiving care, the focus will now turn to the younger group’s eligibility for the plan. Carney has provided some positive news.
Carney has said that “in the coming weeks, applications will open to Canadians aged 18-54” [3]. Continuing, he says that “because of this plan, millions of people can now afford to see a dentist — some for the first time in decades. Soon, millions more will get that same care” [3].
So dental healthcare continues to go in the right direction in Canada. The new government seems to care a lot about dental care, with the early signs being positive.
Hopefully, with more and more people becoming eligible for care, we will see a concerted improvement in oral health across Canada.
Thinking points…
[1] Regardless of your age, one of the most important aspects we mentioned above is attending regular dental check-ups! At a check-up, a dentist can provide advice on your oral health, check for any problems, and suggest treatment if needed. It is important to attend a dentist at least once every six months. We recommend that you book an appointment now!
[2] The statistics show that edentulism – or not having any natural teeth – affects many people. There are treatments available for this though, with dental implants being a great solution for many people. Implants are artificial teeth that look natural, are long-lasting, and can improve your self-esteem. Here at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental, we offer a free dental implant consultation for our patients! For further details and to book an appointment, please see our website – https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!
What we offer at Savanna Dental
Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.
Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.
We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!
References
[1] Statistics Canada. (2025). Selected indicators of oral health in Canada. Available: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/71-607-x/71-607-x2024028-eng.htm. Last accessed: 9th May 2025.
[2] Gaber, A., Galarneau, C., Feine, J. S., & Emami, E. (2017). Rural-urban disparity in oral health-related quality of life. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 46 (2): p132-142. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12344.
[3] Oral Health. (2025). Mouth pain keeps some from eating — here’s what the dental data says as CDCP opens to Canadians 55 to 64. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/news/mouth-pain-keeps-some-from-eating-heres-what-the-dental-data-says-as-cdcp-opens-to-canadians-55-to-64-1003986452/. Last accessed: 9th May 2025.
